Transmission using a plurality of protocols

ABSTRACT

Included are embodiments for communicating data using a plurality of formats. At least one embodiment of a method includes transmitting a plurality of first format data frames with a predetermined time period between transmitted first format data frames and determining a duration of the time period between the transmitted first format data frames. Similarly, some embodiments include fragmenting a second format data frame into a plurality of second format subframes such that the second format subframes may be transmitted during the time period between the transmitted first format data frames.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a continuation application of and claims thebenefit of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 11/683,526 filed in the UnitedStates Patent Office on Mar. 8, 2007, which itself claims priority toU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/848,578 filed in the United StatesPatent Office on Sep. 28, 2006, the entire contents of both of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

As wireless communications have evolved, various protocols have beendeveloped to provide different features. As many devices are nowconfigured to communicate using different wireless protocols,interference can occur when the protocols operate in similar and/oroverlapping frequencies during a similar time period. As interferencecan distort and/or inhibit a communication, a heretofore unaddressedneed exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficienciesand inadequacies.

SUMMARY

Included are embodiments for communicating data using a plurality offormats. At least one embodiment of a method includes transmitting aplurality of first format data frames, the plurality of first formatdata frames being transmitted with a time period between transmittedfirst format data frames and determining a duration of the time periodbetween the transmitted first format data frames. Similarly, someembodiments include fragmenting a second format data frame into aplurality of second format subframes such that the second formatsubframes may be transmitted during the time period between theconsecutively transmitted first format data frames.

Similarly, an embodiment of a method includes transmitting a pluralityof first format data frames the plurality of first format data framesbeing transmitted with a predetermined time period between consecutivelytransmitted first format data frames and determining a transmit scheduleassociated with the first format data frames. Some embodiments of themethod include delaying transmission of a second format data frame apredetermined time after one of the plurality of first format dataframes.

Also included are embodiments of a communications device forcommunicating data using a plurality of formats. At least one embodimentof a device includes first logic configured to transmit a plurality offirst type data frames, the plurality of first type data frames beingtransmitted with a predetermined time period between consecutivelytransmitted first type data frames and a second logic configured totransmit a second type data frame, the second logic further configuredto determine a duration of the time period between the consecutivelytransmitted first type data frames, the second logic further configuredto fragment the second type data frame into a plurality of subframessuch that the second type data subframes may be transmitted during thetime period between the consecutively transmitted first type dataframes.

Other systems, methods, features, and/or advantages of this disclosurewill be or may become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description and be within the scopeof the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. While several embodiments are described inconnection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit thedisclosure to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On thecontrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, andequivalents.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a networkconfiguration that may be utilized for wireless communications.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of acommunications device that may be configured to operate in the networkfrom FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of data frames,such as may be communicated by the device from FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of fragmentinga data frame, such as a data frame from FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process that may beutilized for communicating data in a plurality of protocols, such as inthe network from FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating interference in communicating data viaa plurality of protocols, such as in the network from FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating denying transmission of data to reduceinterference between data from a plurality of protocols, similar to thediagram from FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating delaying transmission of data to reduceinterference between data from a plurality of protocols, similar to thediagram from FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a processthat may be utilized in determining a time for sending 802.11 data, suchas in the network from FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a processthat may be utilized in delaying transmission of 802.11 data, similar tothe flowchart from FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a networkconfiguration that may be utilized for wireless communications. Asillustrated in the nonlimiting example from FIG. 1, network 100 may becoupled to Access Points 102 a and 102 b. Access Points 102 a and 102 bcan be configured to provide wireless communications to communicationdevices 104 a, 104 b, 104 c and/or 104 d. More specifically, dependingon the particular configuration, Access Points 102 a and/or 102 b may beconfigured for providing WIFI services, WiMAX services, wireless SIPservices, Bluetooth services and/or other wireless communicationservices. Additionally, communication device 104 b may be coupled tonetwork 100 (via a wired and/or wireless connection) for storingcommunications between communication device 104 e and/or anothercommunication device 104 coupled to network 100.

Network 100 may include a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), aVoice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network, an Integrated ServicesDigital Network (ISDN), a cellular network, and/or other mediums forcommunicating data between communication devices. More specifically,while communications devices 104 a and 104 b may be configured for WIFIcommunications, a communications device 104 e may be coupled to network100 and may facilitate communication between users on a communicationsdevice 104 a and users on a communications device 104 e, even thoughcommunications device 104 e may be configured for PSTN communications,as opposed to VoIP communications. Additionally, while a communicationsdevice 104 a may be configured to communicate with communications device104 d via a WIFI or IEEE 802.11 (e.g., 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, etc.)protocol, communications device 104 b may also be able to communicatewith a wireless ear piece 106 a being utilized by a user 108 and/orother device using a Bluetooth protocol. Similarly, the communicationsdevice 104 e may be configured to communicate with wireless keyboard 106b via a Bluetooth protocol. Other Bluetooth enabled devices may also beutilized in the configuration of FIG. 1. As these protocols may beconfigured to operate in similar frequencies, utilization of theseprotocols concurrently may cause data interference, thereby reducing thequality of each communication.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of acommunications device that may be configured to operate in the networkfrom FIG. 1. As illustrated in the nonlimiting example of FIG. 2, thecommunications device 104 may include a host 202. Additionally includedis a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) chipset 204, which may include aWIFI Media Access Control (MAC) and a Packet Traffic Arbitration (PTA)master 208. The PTA master 208 can include a WIFI control component 210and a Bluetooth (BT) control component 212.

Also included with the communications device 104 is a Bluetooth chipset214. The Bluetooth chipset 214 may include a PTA slave component 218 anda Bluetooth MAC component 218. The WLAN chipset 204 and the BT chipset214 may be configured to communicate data signals to coordinate variousprotocols such as 802.11 data and Bluetooth data. At least a portion ofthe signals are included in Table 1, below.

TABLE 1 Signals communicated in a communications device 104 Pin nameData direction Description Tx_request BT to WLAN May be asserted duringBT receive or transmit. On receipt of a tx_request signal, the 802.11control may generate a tx_confirm signal containing a status value thatis either allowed or denied. Status BT to WLAN Pulsed if a BT slot ishigh priority. After pulsing, indicates BT radio mode (transmit orreceive). Tx_confirm WLAN to BT Transmission confirmation. De- assertedwhen the PTA modules attempt to prevent the BT module transmission. TheBT module may not initiate a transmission when the tx_confirm isde-asserted, as sampled before the start of the slot, but may continuetransmission if asserted during the slot. In response to a tx_requestsignal, Bluetooth control may generate a tx_confirm signal that includesa status value that is either allowed or denied. Frequency BT to WLANThis optional frequency overlap signal is asserted when the BTtransceiver hops into restricted channels that are defined by acoexistence mechanism.

In operation, the BT chipset 214 may send a tx_request to the PTA master208, indicating a request to transmit Bluetooth data. The PTA master 208can respond with an indication to transmit or to refrain fromtransmitting at this time (e.g., tx_confirm). The Bluetooth data maythen be transmitted. A status signal may be sent from the BT chipset 214to the PTA master 204 if the data to be transmitted is determined to behigh priority data. Additionally, as discussed in more detail below, thecommunications device 104 may also be configured for dynamicfragmentation, delayed transmission, and/or other actions, depending onthe particular configuration.

One should also note that, while not illustrated in FIG. 2,communications device 104 may include other components, such as aprocessor, display interface, input interface, output interface, datastorage, local interface (e.g., a bus), one or more memory components,such as RAM, DRAM, flash memory, and/or other volatile and nonvolatilememory components. Additionally, the communications device 104 mayinclude one or more programs (embodied in software, hardware, firmware,etc.) for execution by the processor. The programs may be located withthe memory components, data storage, and/or elsewhere. Other componentsmay be included that facilitates communication of data with thecommunications device 104.

One should also note that components illustrated in FIG. 2 areillustrated for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limitthe scope of this disclosure. More specifically, while PTA master 208 isillustrated as residing in the WLAN chipset 204, this is a nonlimitingexample. More specifically, in at least one embodiment, the PTA master208 may reside on an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), atthe host, and/or elsewhere. Similarly, other components described withrespect to the communications device 104 may differ in practice,depending on the particular configuration.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of data frames,such as may be communicated by the device from FIG. 2. Morespecifically, as illustrated in the nonlimiting example of FIG. 3,Bluetooth voice variant High Quality Voice 2 (HV2) may be configured totransmit data packets that are 1250 μs in length. Additionally, HV2 dataframes 302 a-302 e may be sent at 1250 μs intervals, with data frames302 a and 302 b, 302 b and 306 c, etc being consecutively transmitteddata frames. 802.11 data frames 304, on the other hand may include oneor more frames that may be configured to be sent at regular or irregularintervals. Bluetooth HV3 data frames 306 a-306 e, may be sent at regularintervals of 2500 μs, with the data frames being sent at 1250 μs, withdata frames 306 a and 306 b, 306 b and 306 c, etc. being consecutivelytransmitted data frames.

One should note that, depending on the particular configuration, theinterval times and/or data frame times may differ than those describedwith regard to FIG. 3. Similarly, the amount of data transmitted in adata frame may differ, depending on the particular configuration. Thevalues given for these parameters are included for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of fragmentinga data frame, such as a data frame from FIG. 3. As illustrated in thenonlimiting example of FIG. 4, the 802.11 data frame 304 may befragmented for concurrent transmission with Bluetooth HV3 data. Morespecifically, in at least one nonlimiting example, the PTA master 208(FIG. 2) may determine that an 802.11 data frame will take more time totransmit than the length of time between any two Bluetooth data frames(e.g., 306 a and 306 b, 306 b and 306 c, 306 c and 306 d). As such,interference may occur if the 802.11 data frame 304 is transmitted.

In such a scenario, the PTA master component 208 may determine thetransmission (and/or receipt) cycle times for the Bluetooth data 306.From this determination, the PTA master component 208 can determine thetime between any two Bluetooth data frames 306. The PTA master component208 can then instruct the WiFi MAC 206 to fragment the 802.11 data.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the PTA master component 208 maybe configured to determine whether the 802.11 data frame 304 can betransmitted in a time period between the Bluetooth data frames 306. Ifthe PTA master component 208 determines that the 802.11 data frame 304cannot be transmitted during a time interval of that duration, the PTAmaster component 208 can instruct the WiFi MAC 206 to fragment the802.11 data frame 304 into two subframes 404. The PTA master componentcan then determine whether the subframes can be transmitted within thedetermined timer interval. If not, the process continues with the PTA,instructing the WiFi MAC 206 to fragment the subframes into second tiersubframes, third tier subframes, etc. and determining whether the newlyfragmented frames can be transmitted.

Similarly, some embodiments may be configured to determine whether the802.11 data frame 304 may be transmitted during an interval between anytwo Bluetooth data frames 306. If the PTA master component 208determines that the data frame 304 cannot be transmitted in this timeperiod, the PTA master component 208 can determine a number of subframes404 that will allow transmission of the data subframes 404 during thetime periods between transmissions of the Bluetooth data frames 306.Still some embodiments may be configured to, upon a determination thatthe data frame 304 cannot be transmitted between Bluetooth data frames306, fragment the 802.11 data frame 304 into enough subframes 404 thatwill likely ensure transmission times that are shorter than the timeperiods between the Bluetooth data frames 306.

One should note that while the nonlimiting example of FIG. 4 illustratestransmitting data at 2 Mega-bits per second (Mpbs), this is also anonlimiting example. More specifically, depending on the particularversion of 802.11 being utilized, the following data rates, amongothers, may be utilized, as illustrated in Table 2. Additionally, whileframe sizes may include 1500 Maximum Transmission Units (MTUs), this isalso a nonlimiting example, depending on the 802.11 version beingutilized.

TABLE 2 exemplary data speeds for a plurality of 802.11 versionsProtocol Speed 802.11 1, 2 802.11b 1, 2, 5.5, 11 802.11b/g 1, 2, 5.5, 6,9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 802.11n 1, 2, 5.5, 7.2, 10.8, 11, 14.4,21.7, 28.9, 43.3, 57.8, 65, 72.2

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process that may beutilized for communicating data in a plurality of protocols, such as inthe network from FIG. 1. As illustrated in the nonlimiting example ofFIG. 5, the communications device 104 can begin transmitting a Bluetoothdata frame 302, 306 and the Bluetooth transmission timing can bedetermined (block 532). The communications device 104 can then determinethe Bluetooth variant (HV2/HV3) of the transmitted Bluetooth data 302,306 (block 534). Depending on the particular configuration, the decisionbetween HV2 and HV3 may be taken after at least two Bluetoothtransmissions, because a measure of the time between the Bluetooth dataframes may be needed. While this information may be known in advancethrough a management interface, this is not a requirement. If thetransmitted data is HV2 data, the communications device 104 candetermine timing of the transmitted Bluetooth data 302 (block 536). Thecommunications device 104 can then fragment the 802.11 data (including apossible acknowledgement or Request To Send/Clear To Send (RTS/CTS)exchange) to fit between the 1250 μs time period between the transmittedHV2 data 302 (block 538).

Similarly, if the communications device 104 determines that thetransmitted Bluetooth data includes HV3 data 306, the communicationsdevice 104 determines the timing of the HV3 data 306 (block 540). Thecommunications device 104 can then fragment the 802.11 data 304 to fitbetween the transmitted HV3 data 306 (block 542). The communicationsdevice can then transmit the fragmented 802.11 data 304 during the timeperiods between the Bluetooth data 302, 306 (block 544).

One should note that, as discussed in more detail below, the determinedBluetooth timing data may be utilized for determining a falling edge ofthe Bluetooth data 302, 306 to further prevent interference.Additionally, as discussed in more detail below, transmitting thefragmented data may include beginning transmission of the 802.11 data apredetermined time after a falling edge of a Bluetooth data frame.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating interference in communicating data viaa plurality of protocols, such as in the network from FIG. 1. Asillustrated in the nonlimiting example of FIG. 6, Bluetooth data frames306 may be transmitted sequentially at a regular interval. The PTAmaster component 208 (FIG. 2) may be configured to receive a request totransmit an 802.11 data frame 602. The PTA master component 208 may thendetermine whether a Bluetooth data frame 306 is currently beingtransmitted. If the PTA master component 208 determines that there is noBluetooth data frame 306 currently being transmitted, the PTA mastercomponent 208 may send the 802.11 data frame 602 and, if not,facilitates transmission of the 802.11 data frame 602.

While such a configuration may reduce interference by transmitting802.11 data (and/or other data) between Bluetooth data frames 306, sucha configuration may still introduce interference if a Bluetooth dataframe 306 is transmit after beginning transmission of the 802.11 dataframe 602, but before transmission of that data frame 602 is complete.

FIG. 6 illustrates that the communications device 104 may enter a sleepmode, as illustrated by line 604. The PTA master component 208determines that there is no Bluetooth data frame currently beingtransmitted. The communications device 104 may then resume normaloperation, facilitate transmission of the 802.11 data frame 602 and,when transmission is complete, returns to sleep mode. However, asillustrated by vertical lines 606 a and 606 b, a Bluetooth data frame306 b began transmission during transmission of the 802.11 data frame602. During the time that both the Bluetooth data frame 306 b and the802.11 data frame 602, interference likely occurs.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating denying transmission of Bluetooth datato reduce interference between data from a plurality of protocols,similar to the diagram from FIG. 6. As illustrated in the nonlimitingexample of FIG. 7, in an effort to reduce the interference achieved inFIG. 6, many current solutions temporarily prevent transmission of theBluetooth data frame 306 b in order to complete transmission of the802.11 data frame 602. However, oftentimes Bluetooth data 306 includesvoice data and delaying transmission of this data may also cause qualityissues with the communication.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating delaying transmission of data to reduceinterference between data from a plurality of protocols, similar to thediagram from FIG. 6. As illustrated in the nonlimiting example of FIG.8, the PTA master component 208 may be configured to determine whether aBluetooth data frame 306 is currently being transmitted, as illustratedwith vertical line 804 a. However, in this nonlimiting example, the PTAmaster component 208 may be configured to determine a timing schedule ofthe Bluetooth data frames 306 such that the PTA master component candetermine when the data frame 306 b will be begin transmission and,thus, when the data frame 306 b will end transmission. With thisinformation, the communications device 104 can enter (or remain in) asleep mode until the predicted time that the data frame 306 b will endtransmission (e.g., a falling edge). A predetermined time after the dataframe 306 b ends transmission (and/or slightly before the end of thetransmission), the communications device 104 can enter a normaloperation mode, begin transmission of the 802.11 data frame 602, andreturn to the sleep mode after transmission of the 802.11 data frame 602is complete. In at least one nonlimiting example, the PTA mastercomponent 208 may be configured to postpone an 802.11 transmission whenthe 802.11 data will overlap with a Bluetooth slot.

Because the PTA master component 208 determines the previously settiming schedule of the of the Bluetooth data frames 306, thecommunications device 104 can determine a time to transmit the 802.11data 602 without interference from the Bluetooth data 306. Additionally,with this information, the communications device 104 can save power byentering a sleep mode until the determined time that transmission of thedata frame 306 b will end.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a processthat may be utilized in determining a time for sending 802.11 data, suchas in the network from FIG. 1. As illustrated in the nonlimiting exampleof FIG. 9, the WLAN chipset 204 may be configured to receive atx_request from the BT MAC component 214 (block 932). The WLAN chipset204 can then determine whether this is the first request (block 934). Ifthis tx_request is the first request, the WLAN chipset 204 sets a“BT_first” variable equal to a “now” variable (block 1036). Thisfacilitates beginning capture of timing data for the transmittedBluetooth data 306.

If, at block 934, the WLAN chipset 204 determines that this is not thefirst request, a “BT_previous” variable is set to a “BT_first” variable(block 938). The WLAN chipset 204 can also set a “BT_first” equal to the“now” variable (block 940). The WLAN chipset 204 can then determinewhether “BT_first” minus “BT_previous” equals 3750 μs, plus or minus 20(block 942). If not, the process may end. If, this equality is true, theWLAN chipset 204 sets the 3750 μs countdown timer to 3750 (block 944).

One should note that, while the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9illustrates determination of the timing schedule for HV3 data 302, thisis a nonlimiting example. More specifically, a similar process may beutilized for HV2 data frames 306 and/or other repetitively transmitteddata. Additionally, depending on the particular configuration, otherprocesses may be utilized for determining the timing schedule ofBluetooth data frames 306 (and/or other data).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a processthat may be utilized in delaying transmission of 802.11 data, similar tothe flowchart from FIG. 9. As illustrated in the nonlimiting example ofFIG. 10, the communications device 104 may transmit a Bluetooth dataframe 302, 306 (block 1032). The communications device 104 can determinethe timing schedule of the Bluetooth data frames 302, 306 (block 1034).The communications device 104 can then delay transmission of 802.11 datauntil a falling edge of a Bluetooth data frame 302, 306 (block 1036).

One should note that while the above description refers to Bluetooth and802.11 data, these are nonlimiting examples. More specifically, otherregularly and irregularly transmitted data may be Included in thisdisclosure. Additionally, while certain devices are described asembodying various features of this disclosure, these are nonlimitingexamples. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein may beembodied in any wireless communication device, including computers(desktop, portable, laptop, etc.), consumer electronic devices (e.g.,multi-media players), compatible telecommunications devices, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), and/or other type of network devices, such asprinters, fax machines, scanners, hubs, switches, routers, Set-TopTerminals (STTs), televisions with communications capabilities, etc.

Additionally, the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. At least oneembodiment disclosed herein may be implemented in software and/orfirmware that is stored in a memory and that is executed by a suitableinstruction execution system. If implemented in hardware, one or more ofthe embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented with any or acombination of the following technologies: a discrete logic circuit(s)having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals,an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriatecombinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), etc.

One should also note that the flowcharts included herein show thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of a possible implementationof software. In this regard, each block can be interpreted to representa module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or moreexecutable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that in some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder and/or not at all. For example, two blocks shown in succession mayin fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved.

One should note that any of the programs listed herein, which caninclude an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementinglogical functions, can be embodied in any computer-readable medium foruse by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus,or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system,or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. Inthe context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be anymeans that can contain, store, communicate, or transport the program foruse by or in connection with the instruction execution system,apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium can be, for examplebut not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specificexamples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium couldinclude an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires,a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM)(electronic), a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (electronic), anoptical fiber (optical), and a portable compact disc read-only memory(CDROM) (optical). In addition, the scope of the certain embodiments ofthis disclosure can include embodying the functionality described inlogic embodied in hardware or software-configured mediums.

One should also note that conditional language, such as, among others,“can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise,or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generallyintended to convey that certain embodiments include, while otherembodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps.Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply thatfeatures, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or moreparticular embodiments or that one or more particular embodimentsnecessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input orprompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included orare to be performed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of this disclosure. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) withoutdeparting substantially from the spirit and principles of thedisclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded herein within the scope of this disclosure.

1. A communications device for communicating data using a plurality offormats, comprising: a packet traffic arbitration component configuredto: coordinate transmission of a plurality of first type data frames anda second type data frame, wherein the plurality of first type dataframes is transmitted with time periods between the plurality of firsttype data frames; detect a timing and a duration of the time periodsbetween the plurality of first type data frames; fragment the secondtype data frame into a predetermined number of subframes; determinewhether the predetermined number of subframes can be transmitted duringthe detected time periods between the plurality of first type dataframes; fragment at least one of the predetermined number of subframesinto a predetermined number of second tier fragmented subframes; anddetermine whether the predetermined number of second tier fragmentedsubframes can be transmitted during the detected time periods betweenthe plurality of transmitted first type data frames.
 2. Thecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first typedata frames are Bluetooth data frames, and the second type data frame isa 802.11 data frame.
 3. The communications device of claim 1, whereinthe packet traffic arbitration component is further configured to causetransmission of the predetermined number of subframes or thepredetermined number of second tier fragmented subframes during the timeperiods between the plurality of first type data frames.
 4. Thecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the packet traffic arbitrationcomponent is further configured to delay transmission of one of thepredetermined number of subframes or one of the predetermined number ofthe second tier fragmented subframes until a falling edge of one of theplurality of first type data frames.
 5. The communications device ofclaim 4, wherein the communications device is configured to enter asleep mode until a predetermined time before the falling edge of one ofthe plurality of first type data frames.
 6. The communications device ofclaim 1, wherein the communications device includes at least one of thefollowing: a wireless communication device, a consumer electronicdevice, a telecommunications device, a personal digital assistant (PDA),a printer, a fax machine, a scanner, a hub, a switch, a router, aSet-Top Terminal (STT), and a television.
 7. A method for communicatingdata using a plurality of formats, comprising: transmitting, from acommunication device, a plurality of first format data frames, theplurality of first format data frames being transmitted with timeperiods between the plurality of first format data frames; detecting, bythe communication device, a timing and a duration of the time periodsbetween the plurality of first format data frames; fragmenting, by thecommunication device, a second format data frame into a predeterminednumber of second format subframes; determining whether the predeterminednumber of second format subframes can be transmitted during the detectedtime periods between the plurality of first format data frames;fragmenting at least one of the predetermined number of second formatsubframes into a predetermined number of second tier fragmentedsubframes; and determining whether the predetermined number of secondtier fragmented subframes can be transmitted during the time periodsbetween the plurality of first format data frames.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the communication device includes at least one of thefollowing: a wireless communication device, a consumer electronicdevice, a telecommunications device, a personal digital assistant (PDA),a printer, a fax machine, a scanner, a hub, a switch, a router, aSet-Top Terminal (STT), and a television.
 9. The method of claim 7,further comprising transmitting the predetermined number of secondformat subframes or the predetermined number of second tier fragmentedsubframes during the time periods between the plurality of first formatdata frames.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising delayingtransmission of one of the predetermined number of second formatsubframes or one of the predetermined number of second tier fragmentedsubframes until a falling edge of one of the plurality of first formatdata frames.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of firstformat data frames include at least one of the following: Bluetooth HighQuality Voice 2 (HV2) data frames and Bluetooth HV3 data frames, andwherein the second format data frame includes at least one of thefollowing: an IEEE 802.11 b data frame, an IEEE 802.11 g data frame, anIEEE 802.11n data frame, and a WiMax data frame.
 12. A system forcommunicating data using a plurality of formats, comprising: means fortransmitting a plurality of first format data frames, the plurality offirst format data frames being transmitted with time periods between theplurality of first format data frames; means for detecting timing anddurations of the time periods between the plurality of first format dataframes; and means for fragmenting a second format data frame into apredetermined number of second format subframes; means for determiningwhether the predetermined number of second format subframes can betransmitted during the detected time periods between the plurality offirst type data frames; means for fragmenting the predetermined numberof second format subframes into a predetermined number of second tierfragmented subframes; and means for determining whether thepredetermined number of second tier fragmented subframes may betransmitted during the time periods between the plurality of first typedata frames.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of firstformat data frames are Bluetooth data frames, and the second format dataframe is a 802.11 data frame.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein themeans for transmitting is further configured to transmit thepredetermined number of second format subframes or the predeterminednumber of second tier fragmented subframes during the time periodsbetween the plurality of first type data frames.
 15. An article ofmanufacture including a computer-readable medium having instructionsstored thereon that, if executed by a computing device, cause thecomputing device to perform operations comprising: transmitting aplurality of first format data frames, the plurality of first formatdata frames being transmitted with time periods between the plurality offirst format data frames; detecting a timing and a duration of the timeperiods between the plurality of first format data frames; fragmenting asecond format data frame into a predetermined number of second formatsubframes; determining whether the predetermined number of second formatsubframes can be transmitted during the detected time periods betweenthe plurality of first type data frames; fragmenting at least one of thepredetermined number of second format subframes into a predeterminednumber of second tier fragmented subframes; and determining whether thepredetermined number of second tier fragmented subframes can betransmitted during the time periods between the plurality of first typedata frames.
 16. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein theplurality of first format data frames are Bluetooth data frames, and thesecond format data frame is a 802.11 data frame.
 17. The article ofmanufacture of claim 15, wherein the instructions, if executed by thecomputing device, further cause the computing device to performoperations comprising transmitting the predetermined number of secondformat subframes or the predetermined number of second tier fragmentedsubframes during the time periods between the plurality of first formatdata frames.
 18. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein theinstructions, if executed by the computing device, further cause thecomputing device to perform operations comprising delaying transmissionof one of the predetermined number of second format subframes or one ofthe predetermined number of second tier fragmented subframes until afalling edge of one of the plurality of first format data frames.